Introduction to Nursing Ethics and Professionalism
Introduction to Nursing Ethics and Professionalism ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a terminally ill client who is experiencing severe pain. The client’s physician has prescribed a dose of pain medication that the nurse believes is inadequate.
What should the nurse do?
Administering the prescribed dose without advocating for an increased dose may not provide effective pain relief for the client.
Administering a higher dose than prescribed without consulting with the physician could be unsafe and could potentially harm the client.
Refusing to administer medication and leaving the client in pain would violate their right to receive adequate pain management.
The nurse has an ethical responsibility to advocate for their client’s well-being, including ensuring that they receive adequate pain management. In this situation, the nurse should consult with the physician and advocate for an increased dose of pain medication to provide effective pain relief for their client.
Consult with the physician and advocate for an increased dose.
Explanation: The nurse has an ethical responsibility to advocate for their client’s well-being, including ensuring that they receive adequate pain management. In this situation, the nurse should consult with the physician and advocate for an increased dose of pain medication to provide effective pain relief for their client.
Incorrect answers:
a. Administering the prescribed dose without advocating for an increased dose may not provide effective pain relief for the client.
b. Administering a higher dose than prescribed without consulting with the physician could be unsafe and could potentially harm the client.
c. Refusing to administer medication and leaving the client in pain would violate their right to receive adequate pain management.